Startup Game for first time entrepreneurs 👩‍🎤’s Post

📣 Grace Berlin Accelerator is open for applications Ready to skyrocket your startup journey? As a current participant with hatched I've seen firsthand how this program and community can transform your startup journey into something truly extraordinary. Being part of a supportive community of fellow founders has been amazing. On top of this we receive personalised input from Grace experts and mentors contributing to the development of our business ideas and solutions. Now Grace is looking to support 16 more female founders and mixed teams to launch their businesses in Berlin. What’s in it for you: 🚀A 6-month equity-free program 💰A monthly scholarship of EUR 2.2k per founder and office space 💡Workshops 🗣Mentoring and coaching 📈Personal growth 🌐Peer group activities and community events 📣Pitch training and demo day Applications for the next cohort are open until April 28th. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this opportunity. 🚀 Ready to take the leap? Apply now and let's make magic happen together: Application link in the comment. The project is funded by the European Social Fund Plus with funds from the European Union and the State of Berlin. — #FemaleEntrepreneurship #EntrepreneurshipProgram #FemaleEntrepreneurs #StartupAccelerator #GraceAccelerator2024 Oxana Witmann, Daria Demkina, Ilka Däther

Alongside founders such as Daniel Ek (Spotify) and Niklas Zennström (Atomico), we made several key recommendations in the latest Founders Forum Group Innovation Drivers Report, which emphasises the strategic importance of Big Tech’s role in supporting European startups. #Startups are vital to the ecosystem and fostering them isn’t just beneficial—it’s crucial for Big Tech to unlock new talent, #innovation, and market potential.   🗺️ Diversify beyond #tech hubs: One of the report’s findings is the need to diversify support beyond tech hubs such as London and Paris. This was also highlighted in a recent report by the Social Market Foundation commissioned by OakNorth, recommending that UK government policy should focus on developing clusters of high-growth firms in regional hubs across the country. Cities such as Manchester and Birmingham are already emerging as powerful engines of innovation, and there is huge potential for further growth. 🤝 Provide mentorship: mentorship is another critical element. Startups often face challenges in areas such as tech infrastructure and architecture. With the right guidance, Big Tech can help them avoid early mistakes, ensuring their successful scale-up—and potentially building future customers along the way. Through our programme with the The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and F4S, we're proud to be supporting mentoring programmes for the next generation of entrepreneurs and enterprising talent.   Read the full report here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ecfbkZnm

🚀 One Week Until We Dive Into the #Slovak #Startup Scene! Pitch Me Baby ⚡ Zilina is almost here, and we’re counting down the days! 😎 📅 Mark your calendars for October 9th at the Rector's Foyer, University of Zilina, where 8 bold and innovative startups will take the stage. Whether they’re at the idea stage, early stage, or Series A—we’re about to find out! Get ready to be inspired. 💡 STARTUPS Ready to refine your pitch and level up? This is your chance! Pitch your startup in English, get direct feedback from seasoned mentors and investors, and make connections that matter. The format is simple: 🎤 5 minutes to pitch. 💬 5 minutes of valuable feedback. Sign up now and take that leap! 💼 CORPORATES | MENTORS | VCs | BUSINESS ANGELS Looking to expand your network or discover fresh ideas? This is your opportunity to meet determined, sharp founders, and get a sneak peek at some of the most exciting early-stage startups. Your insights could be game-changing—are you ready to share them? 🤖 TECH ENTHUSIASTS Want to join the buzzing #startup ecosystem? Come, connect, and immerse yourself in innovation. This is where ideas are born, and connections are made. 🎯 AGENDA 16:30: Doors open for early check-in. Grab your badge and meet fellow participants. 17:00: Pitch time! 8 startups, 8 bold ideas—give your feedback and join the conversation. 18:30: It's networking time! Enjoy pizza, soft drinks, and some relaxed conversation. Meet founders, exchange ideas, and make lasting connections. 20:00: Afterparty vibes—let’s celebrate innovation and new beginnings! Event Partners: INOVIA, MSIC - Moravskoslezské inovační centrum, Startup Wroclaw The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.

Unearthing Investment Opportunities in Europe's Tech & AI Landscape As an investor, staying ahead of the curve is paramount. You constantly seek out the next big thing, the groundbreaking tech or AI startup poised to disrupt entire industries. But with venture capital reports overflowing with established names, where do you find the hidden gems – the early-stage companies with the potential to become unicorns? FundRight takes a unique approach to sourcing these European startups. We believe attending local events in vibrant tech hubs like Amsterdam is crucial. Here, the raw energy and innovative ideas are palpable. Just recently, I attended the Tech Makers Amsterdam https://lnkd.in/dWZzG-y2. The atmosphere was electric, brimming with passionate founders brimming with disruptive ideas. Beyond the Hype: Unveiling the True Potential But conferences and meetups are just the tip of the iceberg. The most promising startups are often hidden away, quietly building their empires. FundRight utilizes a multi-pronged approach to find these hidden gems: In-Depth Founder Analysis: We go beyond basic financial metrics, which aren't always available for early-stage startups. Instead, we meticulously analyze founders – their vision, team dynamics, and market understanding. Network Power: We leverage a robust network of angel investor groups and business angels across Europe. This allows us to tap into a rich vein of information and discover exciting startups before the mainstream catches on. Why We're Better for Early-Stage Startups: Traditional methods often rely on established metrics, making it difficult for fledgling companies to gain traction. FundRight bridges this gap by focusing on the core strengths and vision of the founders. This allows us to champion truly innovative startups with the potential to become the next big thing.

What a London Tech Week 2024! With over 90 countries represented, this is where the global tech ecosystem intersects with the investment, innovation and talent which calls the UK home (Quoted from LTW 's webpage). I mainly focused on entrepreneurship at Founders Stage and Pitch Stage. My main takeaways are 1. A great opportunity to seek clarity in areas of starting and running a business from someone who have already gone through, e. g. fundraising, founding team, and intellectual property (IP) or other legal issues. 2. Allowing me to understand practicality of funding by listening and talking to those investors and founders who successfully raised funds and challenges facing. And, tips and tricks shared by panelists who are venture capitalists are incredibly useful. 3. An excellent platform to showcase your own innovative idea(s), proof of concept, and MVP that addresses a specific problem through pitch sessions. I remember one of sessions is called Rising Star. And this year's Rising Star is Novai, Early Detection Prevents Blindness and Disability. 4. The best timing (perhaps) to refine your business ideation simply by talking to founders and startups in the same field as you do for someone just starts their entrepreneurship journey. 5. Golden opportunities to know about innovation and invention in health and healthcare since I am passionate about healthcare. Panellists, Audrey Tsang from Clue, Sam Brearey from AccesserCise, Chaye Cabal-Revilla from Metro Pacific Health shared their thoughts on areas that they have made breakthrough using technologies. Meanwhile, medtech hardware startups like Charco will significantly improve the elderly living with Parkinson's their quality of life. PS: I am yet an entrepreneur, but I am deeply inspired by founders and entrepreneurs who have solved problems big and small and who are determined to solve pressing issues in the world we live in today. Despite of knowing entire process of startup from ideation, fundraising to launch product/services in academic setting, attending events like this enormously increases my level of confidence and determination. 💪 #LondonTechWeek2024 #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #Investors

🚀 Europe’s 250 Fastest-Growing Startups Sharing a quick summary of Sifted's ranking of Europe's fastest growing startups: 🔹 Consumer tech’s comeback: Despite being shunned by some investors post-tech downturn, consumer-facing tech startups are thriving with impressive revenue growth. 🔹 Geographic diversity: Only 50% of the top 250 hail from the UK, Germany, and France. Emerging ecosystems, like Lithuania, are making their mark. 🔹 Sector standouts: -> Climate tech: A broad mix, from carbon accounting to EVs and energy storage, is represented. -> Fintech: Four out of the top 10 spots go to fintech, showing the industry’s resilience. 🔹 Deeptech’s journey: Deeptech representation remains modest, with only 11 companies on the list (9 outside the top 50). However, this could change as the sector matures. 🔹 AI fatigue: -> Surprisingly few AI startups made the cut. The highest-ranking generative AI company is London’s V7 (top 50), followed by Cleo at 134. -> Expect more AI contenders in future rankings as young, fast-growing companies gain traction. 💡 Curious to explore the full list? Check it out and spot the rising stars of Europe. 🌍 https://lnkd.in/gUvvtN85 #venturecapital #startupinvestments #angelinvestments

En route to #Berlin to celebrate 25 years of EXIST - Existenzgründungen aus der Wissenschaft and to hear Robert Habeck announcing the next round in the #StartupFactories competition. 🚀If there is one thing that really propelled technology-based innovation out of #universities in the last years, it certainly is #EXIST. Here is why: 1️⃣ First and foremost, the exist scholarship provides a first #financing for academic entrepreneurs to fully focus on their venture. Previously, there was a #gap between research grants and the first possibility to raise venture capital. #Exist allowed founders to really turn a research peoject into a business case and establish the structures necessary to raise VC money 💰 2️⃣ Exist forced and supported universities to build up a supporting #infrastructure for startups, including personnel to coach startups, locations and events for the community. This led to the build-up of numerous #entrepreneurshipcenters across the country. 🏢 3️⃣ however: most importantly: #exist spearheaded a change in the #mindset of students, researchers and professors about entrepreneurship. It is now cool 😎 to start your (deeptech) venture instead of following a purely academic career. Entrpreneurship classes are now part of the curriculum of #engineering students and founding teams have a much more diverse range of skills because #exist makes it mandatory to include e.g. a co-founder with business skills in the team. 👩💼🧑🔬 All-in-all: you cannot overestimate the positive impact of #exist on the German startup ecosystem. I believe the current positive trend in amazing deeptech ventures is in large parts happening thanks to Exist. 🧬🔬⚗️ 🎉 Let’s celebrate 25 years and let’s work on how to make startup support even better for the future (and that includes the startup factories 😉) Start2 Group / Matthias Notz / Daniela Dasch / Malte Brettel / Marc Kley / Günther Schuh / Dr. Michael Riesener

🧠 When I had raised my first capital as a female startup founder, I must have been the only woman in the country or one of the very very few who had managed to pull this off. Being a data scientist with a tech background, made it challenging to translate to the business people the value of our startup and entrepreneurship is something we are not taught at school. 💵 Yet, it happened but it could have happened much easier and faster. Since then, I have come along way and I am working with investors on a weekly basis to enable female founders grow. 💎 And now things have drastically changed in a positive direction. If you are a female founder, you have the opportunity to join our amazing programmes, designed to help you do exactly that. Learn how to grow, scale and raise capital. Now you can get targeted help to elevate your business, improve your network and get equipped with key skills and toolsets to expand internationally. 🪄 Along with your New Year's resolutions, decide on which side of the table you want to be the ones who succeed or not. Check out the quote of our amazing founder Annika Lundström, award winner of Nordic Women in Tech Awards for the Rising Star of the Year 2024, CEO of ReMinded, and alumni of our Finland as Female Tech Founder Frontrunner programme. ✨ Join our Accelerator Programme if you are female founder with growth potential: https://lnkd.in/d8MpvUPV You will the chance to improve your skills and mindset, and gain access to global clients, partners, pitch training, investors, real-time support from seasoned professionals. ✨ Join our Mentoring Programme if you are an early stage founder: https://lnkd.in/dd7NAvwi You will get the chance to kickstart your business, receive guidance from two mentors and develop your skills to generate revenue, grow your team, and raise your first investments. 📨 Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply soon to secure your spot! Join the global tech community - today! ⏳ Programmes start in February ⏱️ FINAL Deadline for applications id January 31st 🤶 Have a jolly holiday ja Hyvää joulua kaikille 🎄

This is awesome initiative! E-resident startup founders and foreign (future) founders in Estonian can hugely benefit from this program. Real pro's in Estonian startup landscape Tenity and Beamline Accelerator are smoothly introducing secret and not so secret tricks of navigating successfully in Estonian ecosystem! Softly powered by e-Residency team as well, of course ;) So, if you are ambitious startup founder (e-resident and/or foreign founder in Estonia), check out, what's the plan and how to apply: https://lnkd.in/dmD3sfQy

🚀 Surprising Facts about Startups in Denmark & Gen Z 🌍💡 Denmark might be small, but it’s a powerhouse when it comes to innovation, especially with its vibrant startup ecosystem—and guess who's shaping the future? Gen Z! Here are some fascinating facts connecting Danish startups and the youngest generation of entrepreneurs: 🇩🇰 Denmark’s Startup Scene is Booming: Did you know that Copenhagen ranks among the top 20 cities in Europe for startups? From tech to sustainability, Danish companies are pushing boundaries and attracting international talent. 👩💻 Gen Z: The Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow: Gen Z is redefining entrepreneurship. A whopping 72% of Gen Zers dream of starting their own businesses. In Denmark, this is becoming a reality with the government’s support for innovation and youth entrepreneurship programs. 🌱 Sustainability at the Core: Danish startups are global leaders in green tech. Interestingly, Gen Z values sustainability more than any previous generation, with over 60% willing to pay more for eco-friendly products. This is driving startups to innovate with purpose. 💡 Tech-Savvy & Purpose-Driven: Gen Z is the most digitally connected generation, and Danish startups are leveraging this. They’re using cutting-edge technologies like AI and blockchain to create solutions that matter—not just in business, but in society as a whole. Fun fact: In Denmark, nearly 40% of startup founders are under 35, and many of them are already partnering with Gen Z talent to shape the future of work and innovation! 🤯 The future looks bright with Gen Z and Denmark’s startup ecosystem at the helm—innovating, creating, and leading with purpose. 🌟 #StartupsDenmark #GenZEntrepreneurs #Innovation #Sustainability #TechForGood #FutureOfWork